The sound on the video was faint - they might have been talking about jazz legend Herbie Hancock's music - but the picture show the two of them talking animatedly, joking and slapping shoulders, as Kerry's wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, stood next to Kerry holding his hand and chatting to other guests.

The occasion was a White House reception for Kennedy Center honorees hosted by President Obama in the East Room on Dec. 8. Snoop performed a tribute that evening for Hancock.